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Associated Press

KODIAK- A state ferry out of commission for 11 months is back in service.

The Alaska Marine Highway System says in a release that the Tustumena returned to service Sunday.

It's scheduled to provide service this fall to Homer, Seldovia, Port Lions, Ouzinkie and Kodiak. Next spring, it will resume twice monthly service to Aleutian Islands communities.

The Tustumena went into drydock in November for six months of work, but the return was delayed until early this summer after corrosion was found.

The delay became even longer after welds on the ship failed Coast Guard tests. After the welds were replaced, a later Coast Guard inspection found that the steel used in the project was too thin, requiring replacement.

The state says replacing the Tustumena is its No. 1 construction priority.